When cars are smarter than drivers, it's time to tip your
hat to auto manufacturers. While in-car concierge services (such as
OnStar) and GPS navigation systems are practically medieval by now,
the new e-vehicles are loaded with dozens of devices to help you
drive safely and handle office chores at the same time.

Jill Amadio has reported on the automotive industry for 24
years as an editor and consultant.

Safety First

Here's just a sampling of the flood of safety devices
appearing on the 2001 models:

Too many dented fenders? Ultrasonic reversing/parking
sensors chirp signals if you're dangerously close to other cars
or obstacles, giving you plenty of warning to brake. You'll
find them on Ford's Windstar, Taurus, Explorer and Mountaineer
this year. Other systems in the works will warn of frontal
collisions and automatically brake if a crash is imminent.

Instead of having you manually disengage your cruise
control when traffic conditions force you to slow down, and then
re-engage it, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) does it all for you
electronically. Developed by Delphi Automotive Systems, the system
detects vehicles 450 feet ahead and adjusts your speed to maintain
a gap of one, two or 21Â¦2 seconds.

Lane-change assistance systems use detectors mounted
near the taillights and side mirrors. These act as peripheral
vision when yours is blocked and beep if a car is in the way when
you activate your turn signal.

Coming from Chrysler are tiny cameras that replace
side-view mirrors, displaying traffic around you on a small
dashboard screen.

All About "E"

Hands-free, in-car communication is a goal for all car-makers,
and some of the most advanced smart electronics and wireless
telematics, such as syncing your cell phone with your Palm PDA for
hands-free Internet access, already appear on new models. Look for
them in Fords, Jaguars, Lincolns, Mazdas, Mercurys and Volvos, as
well as many General Motors models.

Mobile computing is a given these days, but how about seeing
information projected onto the windshield so you're not
distracted by having to watch a dashboard display? These head-up
displays aren't new, but their application is changing from
merely projecting your speed and fuel onto the windshield to
allowing the driver to program other data.

But Wait, There's More

Here are some more innovations you might want to include if
you're in the market for a new car this year:

Tired of trying to gauge how warm or cool you want to
be in your car or truck? Some Chrysler models, including the Jeep
Grand Cherokee, eliminate guesswork with an infrared sensor that
"feels" your body heat to deliver precisely the desired
climate for front-seat occupants.

Power sliding doors have proved so popular that
minivan and SUV manufacturers are now adding power liftgates, power
tailgate windows and power rear windows on panel vans, some with
remote control. For even more convenience, the Toyota Sienna and
Ford Windstar have power sliders on both sides of their vans.

Pontiac Bonneville's remote keyless entry
remembers your favorite radio station; when you unlock the doors,
the music or news is already playing.

GM's 2002 full-size passenger truck will be
equipped with QuadraSteer, an electronic four-wheel steering system
with exceptional maneuverability at lower speeds, added stability
at higher speeds and better trailering capabilities.